Inwardly opening breech closure for rocket launcher



Jan. 21, 1958 2,820,398

INWARDLY OPENING BREECH CLOSURE FOR ROCKET LAUNCHER W. GOOD 5Sheets-Sheet ,1

Filed April 21, 1952 INVENTOR. 'Wflham E- G'dczcf BY Zia ,&%.%M

RITE NEYS.

LLLLJJILDLLAJLLJJ W. E. GOOD Jan. 21, 1958 INWARDLY OPENING BREECHCLOSURE FOR ROCKET LAUNCHER Filed April 21, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

William E. Emmi flZTUZ Z D S.

Jan. 21, 1958 w. E. GOOD INWARDLY OPENING BREECH CLOSURE FOR ROCKETLAUNCHER Filed'April 21, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INWARDLY OPENING BREECHCLOSURE FOR RGCKET LAUNCHER William E. Good, Riverton, N. 3., assignorto the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of theArmy Application April 21, 1952, Serial No. 283,383

4 Claims. (Cl. 89-15) The present invention relates to an inwardlyopening breech closure for a rocket launcher. More particularly, theinvention relates to an inwardly opening, non-fouling breech closure fora rocket launcher which protects the breech sealing surface from excesscarbonization and which enables the launcher to be easily loaded.

The use of open-breech launchers is not permissable under certainconditions, particularly for example in tank turrets, where the rearwarddischarge or" propellant gases into the occupied, inclosed turret wouldresult in contamination of the inclosed air to an extent to seriouslyimpair the eificiency of the tank crew.

The closed breech rocket launcher was developed with a view towardpreventing the backward discharge of propellant gases into the inclosedspace, while at the same time enabling the weapon to achieve anincreased range due to the thrust assist exerted upon the rocket by thegas exhaust.

The character and functioning of breech mechanisms for closed breechlaunchers present many problems which require solution for thesatisfactory and eflicient operation of the launcher. Previousmechanisms developed for the operaiton of the breech closure were foundto be cumbersome and unwieldy, involving rack and pinion arrangements,pulleys, gearing and other such similar devices for sliding or movingthe closure. Even a more serious objection was the inability toeffectively develop a closure which remained gas tight under allconditions of firing, consequently leakage of gas about the closureoftentimes resulted in the carbonization and fouling of the variousparts, including the breech sealing surfaces, with the consequentreduction in operating efliciency of the launcher.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a quick,inwardly opening breech closure for a rocket launcher which is free ofthe defects noted in other breech closures.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a rocket launcherwhich is quickly and easily loaded, positive and safe in its operation,and substantially free of excess carbon deposits.

It is also a further object of this invention to provide a rocketlauncher having an easily operated breech closure in which the rearwardforce of the propellant gas augments sealing action to effectively sealthe launcher tube against the rearward discharge of propellant gases andto direct such gases forwardly out of the muzzle portion of the tube.

It is also a further additional object of this invention to provide alauncher having a breech closure which is relatively simple, easy toconstruct, easy to operate, positive in the nature of the seal providedagainst the escape and leakage of propellant gases, and which makes itpossible to easily clean the inner gun parts which have been exposed tocarbonization from such gases.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a hinged, inwardlyopening breech closure for a rocket launcher which is provided withmechanical means assures Fatented Jan. 21, 1958 mounted externally ofthe breech assembly to operate the closure, and additional hydraulicmeans for accomplishing the same purpose.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent as thefollowing specification develops, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawing forming a part of the specification and wherein:

Figure l is a side elevation of a rocket launcher showing the operatingmechanism for the breech closure.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the rocket launcher.

Figure 3 is a view in elevation of the breech end of the rocketlauncher.

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on line dtof Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an end elevation of a modification of the breech closurelooking to the right in Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a top view of the toggle linkage as seen in Figure 1.

Figures 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views of the hydraulic system andvalves for opening and closing the breech door.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters have beenused to designate the same parts in the various figures, ll identifies acylindrical rocket launcher tube provided with four parallel sheet metallauncher rails 12. (2 seen in Figure 2) equally angularly disposed aboutthe inner wall of tube 1 and extending forwardly to t e muzzle 3 of thelauncher tube. The rear end of the launcher tube is provided with anoutwardly directed flange 4 to which is bolted or secured in anyconventional manner a bulbous enlargement or ball 5 to be received inthe ball socket of the launcher mount (not shown). Ball 5 is providedwith a central opening 6 in axial alinement with launcher tube 1, andperipherally disposed about opening 6 on the fiat rearward face of ball5 is a flange '7 of a housing assembly 8 and which is removably boltedto ball 5.

Breech housing assembly 8 is substantially elongated rearwardly ofenlargement 5 to provide suflicient space for accommodating the inwardlyopening breech closure, and in the exemplification illustrated the lowermajor portion 9 of the housing 53 is cylindrical in shape, merging as at10 with an upper rectangular portion 11. The lower wall 12 ofcylindrical portion 9 is flattened as at 13 to provide a lower limit forhousing 8 in longitudinal aline ment with the lowermost inner surface oftube 1, whereas the upper wall 14 of rectangular portion ill is elevatedabove the top surface of tube 1 to an extent to permit a rocket insertedinto the breech opening to clear the breech closure when the closuredoor has been swung inwardly and upwardly as later to be described. '1"he forward portion of wall 14 is inwardly and downwardly inclined as atand is bolted by its flange 7 to ball 5.

The rear end of upper wall 14 has a downwardly struck portion or flangel6, and similarly lower wall 12 is provided with an upwardly directedflange 17, both flanges 16 and i7 cooperating to provide a rear wall 1-3for housing 3 having formed therein a circular opening 19. A breech ringor plate 2% having a circular opening 21 is bolted as by bolts 22 to therear wall 13, opening 21 being further defined by a forwardly directedflange or lip 23 integral with the main body portion of plate 20, andcircumferentially engaging on its outer surface as at 2 the periphery ofwall 18 encompassing opening 19. The inner edge of lip 25 is providedwith a conical seating surface 25 which is adapted to be sealinglyengaged by a gate or breech closure 26 having a peripherally conicalsurface 26a to mate with conical surface 25 of the breech ring.

Breech closure 26 is provided with a forwardly extending reduced portion27 having a flat forward face 213 against which is superimposed a flatmetal bar 29 of substantial width and thickness which forms a shaft forswinging the breech block or closure 26. Shaft 29 and closure 26 aresecured together by means of a nut 35, received in horizontally alinedholes 31 and 32 in the shaft and door respectively, capped by a bolt 33disposed in a shallow cavity 33a formed in the rear face of the breechblock.

The support structure for actuating the breech block (as seen in Figure4) comprises opposed adjustable cone pointed trunnions 34 and 35, one ofwhich 35, is journaled in bearing 37 formed in the right side ofrectangular portion 11 of housing 8. Both trunnions 34; and extendinwardly to be received in conical pockets 33 and 39 formed in opposedsides of upwardly extending portion 29a of shaft 29. A pin 39 fixestrunnion 35 to shaft 29.

The mechanical means for actuating the breech block is connected totrunnion 35 which is the driving trunnion.

mounted on the right of housing 8 as seen in Figures 1, i

3, 4 and 7. The mechanism is formed as a toggle link arrangement 14)comprising a first vertical link or arm 41 (see Figure 1), fixedlysecured to driving trunnion 35 on its upper end as at 42, and having apivotal connection 43 on its lower end with a horizontal link 4-4, whichin turn is connected for pivoting as at 45 with a second horizontal link4-6. Horizontal link 46 is pivotally connected to a stud 47 whichprotrudes from and is secured to the side of the breech housing as seenat 47a (see Fig ure 7). Thus when a force is exerted upwardly againstlink 66, as seen in Figure 1, the link will pivot clockwise aboutpivotal connection 47, carrying with it, horizontal link 44, which inturn will force vertical arm 4-1 in a counterclockwise direction, due topivotal connections 4-5 and 43. As a result breech closure door 26 isswung inwardly and upwardly approximately 90, the thickness of the doorbeing such that sufficient clearance is provided to permit the insertionof a rocket into place through the circular opening in the breechhousing and onto the launcher rails. conveniently operate the togglemechanism a downwardly and rearwardly extending operating lever 45 (seeFigure l) is bolted or secured in any well known manner to link 46, andsecured to the lever is a handle 19, which when not in use is foldedinto place upon lever 48 (see Figure 7), but which may be grasped andunfolded when it is desired to swing the breech block open. The linkagearrangement is easy to operate and provides a large mechanical advantageto insure proper seating of the conical sealing surfaces of the breechblock in the closed position.

A brass obturator ring 51) (see Figure 2) encircling reduced forwardportion 27 of closure 26, and having a larger diameter thinner portion51 is positioned against the forward surface of breech ring 21 to spanthe joint made by conical surfaces 25 and 2641 when the door is closed,thereby protecting the sealing surfaces from direct exposure to the hotpropellant gases. As can readily be seen the structure provided makes itapparent that when a rocket is fired the rearward force exerted by therocket discharge acts to force the breech block into intimate contactwith the conical sealing surface of the breech ring.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a modified construction of the breech blockassembly wherein a brass split ring and a composition obturator padprovide for more intimate sealing between the block and breech ring. Theconstruction permits greater latitude in manufacturing with increasedtolerances, and comprises a breech block 100 which is a substantiallythick metal member having a rounded extreme peripheral edge 181 merginginto a rearwardly directed conical sealing surface 1%.? to engage themating conical sealing surface 1113 of a breech ring 184 secured to thebreech housing (not shown) in any convenient manner! in order to insurebetter sealing (See Figure 2.) In order to between the block breechring, the block is provided with a first rearward reduced portionforming a recess with surface 103 for receiving a ring shaped obturatorpad 1116 of rubber composition or the like adapted to engage theperipheral surface of conical surface 103 of the breech block. Rearwardof reduced portion 105 is a second further reduced rearwardly extendingportion 107 about which is disposed a split brass obturator ring 1118also shaped to intimately contact the surface 163. The cooperationbetween the breech block, obturator pad, obturator ring and breech ringprovides a gas tight fit which prevents leakages and carbonization ofthe conical sealing surfaces. The breech block is provided with acentral aperture 109 to receive a bolt 110 for securing the block to anoperating shaft 1011a. The breech block is also provided with aplurality of longitudinal circumferentially disposed holes 111 radiallyinwardly of the outer radius of reduced portion 105. Within the holes111 are disposed adjusting screws 112 which extend from the rear flatsurface inwardly to a point midway of the front surface of the breechblock. The screws in turn abut longitudinal pins 113 which are receivedin the remaining portions of holes 111, and which have ends 114extending outwardly beyond the forward surface of block 1641 to contactthe rear surface of operating shaft 100a. The adjusting screws 112 maybe turned to angularly adjust the block 101) with respect to shaft 100ain order to take up any clearance and thereby insure a gas tight fitbetween the block and the brass ring when the block is in fully closedposition.

In addition to the mechanical means for operating the toggle mechanism,hydraulic means may also be provided as seen in Figures 1, 8 and 9. Thehydraulic mechanism comprises a hydraulic cylinder 115 lying rearwardlyof operating lever 100a and pivotally connected to the breech housing asat 116 (see Figure l). A piston 117 tightly engaging the walls of andreciprocable in cylinder 115 has secured to one face thereof anoperating rod 118 which extends outwardly through a hole 119 in the rearface 120 of the cylinder (as seen in Figure 8). Rod 118 has a pivotalconnection 121 with link 46 at a point forwardly of the connection madeby operating lever 48 with link 46. The hydraulic system (see Figures 8and 9) comprises a How control and pressure metering valve 122 having aconduit connection 123 to a high pressure oil supply (not shown). Themetered oil supply flows out of metering valve 122 by way of a conduit125 and into a manually operable valve 126 for controlling the flow ofhydraulic fluid to hydraulic cylinder 115. Valve 126 is provide-d withfluid outlets 127, 128 and 129, outlet 127 being connected to chamber incylinder 115 rearwardly of piston 117 by way of conduit 131, outlet 123in like manner being connected to a chamber 132 forwardly of piston 127by way of conduit 133, and outlet 129 being connected to exhaust by wayof conduit 134. Valve 122 is provided with a manually operable rotatingplug having a diametral passage 136, a first passage 137 parallelthereto and radially outwardly on one side thereof, and a similarlyparallel passage 138 on the opposed side thereof. Referring to Figure 9,when it is desired to operate the breech closure manually, rotor 135 isturned to position 2 so that passage 136 connects outlets 127 and 128.In this position no hydraulic pressure is admitted to either chambers130 and 132 of the hydraulic cylinder and rod 118 and piston 117 arefree to reciprocate as the quadratic toggle linkage is mechanicallyactuated to swing the breech block open or closed. Position 1illustrates the position of the rotor plug when it is desired to openthe breech. In this position passage 137 connects pressure supply inconduit 125 to outlet 127 and then by way of conduit 131 to chamber 130to move the piston forwardly (as seen in Figure 8), also chamber 132 isconnected to exhaust conduit 134 by way of conduit 133, outlet 128 andpassage 138. When it is desired to close the breech opem'ng, the rotoris turned to position 3 to connect chamber 132 to pressure supplyconduit 125 by way of passage 137, outlet 128 and 133; chamber 130 inturn being connected to exhaust conduit 134 by way of conduit 131,outlet 127 and passage 138. In both positions 1 and 3 of the rotor plugas can readily be seen, passage 136 is in neutral position, and is notin communication with any of the pressure outlets or conduits.

In Figure 6, numeral 140 identifies one of a series of six eqniangnlarlyspaced pins each having an identical mounting. As shown in this figure,each pin is slidably mounted within aligned apertures in block 100 andobturator ring 108. The aperture in block 100 is enlarged to receive ahead 140a formed upon the pin and a spring 141 surrounds the pin andurges it forwardly to urge the block and ring together in a mannerobvious from inspection of the figure. As there is a slight clearancebetween the ring and block, the described construction operates tocompress pad or gasket 106 to effect a gas-tight seal when thebreechblock is closed. This result may be augmented by so forming anddisposing the parts that the frusto-conical surface on ring 108 engagessurface 103 a little before the corresponding surface 102, to therebyeffect a gas-tight seal. A cap screw 142 is threaded into the enlargedforward portion of the bore accommodating each pin 140 to protect thesame from the rocket gases.

The foregoing specification and drawings illustrate and exemplifypreferred embodiments of a quick opening, manually or hydraulicallyoperable breech closure device, which is positive in its sealing actionand which uses rocket discharge pressure to insure more intimate contactbetween the sealing surfaces. Numerous other modifications andalterations of the illustrated structures will be apparent to oneskilled in the art, and it is obvious that the same may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. In a rocket launcher, an elongated cylindrical launcher tube having acircumferentially flanged rear end, a breech housing secured to saidflanged end and comprising side, bottom and top walls defining a breechspace, and a rear wall having an opening formed therein, a breech ringremovably fixed to the outer surface of said rear wall about saidopening and comprising an inwardly directed reduced portion peripherallyengaging the wall of said opening with a tight fit, there being a breechopening formed in said reduced portion having an oblique wall defining aconical seat, an inwardly opening rearwardly stepped breech blockswingable to close said breech opening, said breech block having a firstinner portion having a conical peripheral surface to engage the innerportion of said conical seat with a tight fit, a middle portion ofslightly reduced diameter, and an outer portion again reduced indiameter to provide a recess, there being a metal obturator ringreceived in said recess having a resilient connection with said breechblock, said obturator ring having a conical peripheral surface to engagethe outermost portion of said conical seat, a toroidal resilientobturator pad surrounding said middle portion of slightly reduceddiameter having inner and outer surfaces tightly abutting correspondingopposed surfaces of said breech block and obturator ring respectively,and having an outer peripheral surface adapted to tightly engage amiddle portion of said conical seat to provide a gas tight seal, anoperating arm mounted in said breech space for swinging said breechblock open or closed, and comprising a flat bar having one end securedto the inner surface of said breech block and the other end providedwith opposed pockets for receiving inwardly directed diametricallyopposed trunnions mounted in the side wall of said breech housing, oneof said trunnions forming a driving trunnion actuable by a toggle linkmechanism for swinging said breech block, said link mechanism comprisinga first link having one end secured to an end of said driving trunnionprotruding from said side wall, a second link having one end pivoted onthe outer surface of said side wall, a third link having one endconnected to the free end of said first link, and the other endconnected to the free end of said second link, and means engaging saidsecond link adjacent said free end operable to actuate said mechanism toswing said door.

2. The rocket launcher of claim 1 wherein said means engaging saidsecond link comprises a manually actuated operating lever.

3. The rocket launcher of claim 1 wherein said means engaging saidsecond link comprises a cylinder having one end pivoted on said sidewall, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, an operating rod havingone end secured to said piston and the other end reciprocable throughthe other end of said cylinder and engaging said second link, andmanually actuated valve means in a hydraulic system selectively operableto pressurize chambers in said cylinder on opposed sides of said pistonwhereby said breech block is moved to sealed or to open position.

4. In a rocket launcher having a rear wall, there being an openingformed in said rear wall, a breech ring removably fixed to the outersurface of said rear wall about said opening and comprising an inwardlydirected reduced portion peripherally engaging the wall of said openingwith a tight fit, there being a breech opening formed in said reducedportion having an oblique wall defining a conical seat, an inwardlyopening stepped breech block swingable to close said breech opening,said breech block having a first inner portion having a conicalperipheral surface to engage an inner portion of said conical seat witha tight fit, a middle portion of slightly reduced diameter forming afirst recess, and an outer portion reduced again in diameter to form asecond recess of smaller diameter, a brass obturator ring received insaid second recess and having a conical peripheral surface to snuglyengage the outermost portion of said conical seat, a toroidal resilientobturator pad received in said first recess and having forward and rearfiat surfaces tightly abutting contiguous surfaces on said breech blockand obturator ring respectively, said obturator pad adapted to engagethe middle portion of said conical seat with a gas tight fit, meanscompressing said obturator pad to effect said gas tight fit comprising,a plurality of circumferentially disposed holes in said breech block inlongitudinal alinement with corresponding holes formed in said brassring, said holes in said breech block having a forward portion ofenlarged diameter, a pin received in said alined holes and having anenlarged head forwardly disposed in said recess of enlarged diameter anda rearwardly threaded portion extending beyond the rear face of saidobturator ring for receiving a nut, and a spring in said recess ofenlarged diameter extending between said head and the bottom thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS429,592 Babcoek June 10, 1890 466,320 Benet Jan. 5, 1892 1,356,858Fitzpatrick Oct. 26, 1920 2,410,116 Vickers Oct. 29, 1946

